The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums

Set in the 1880s, The Story of the Last Chrysanthemums centres on a privileged but second-rate kabuki actor, Kikunosuke (Shotaro Hanayagi), who is encouraged to leave behind the prestigious theatre of his father in order to begin again on the provincial stage. Playing out on elaborately recreated period sets, the action of this backstage drama is orchestrated for unusually lengthy takes, such as the celebrated travelling shot that follows Kikunosoke and his wife walking home together late one night. (British Film Institute (BFI))